|
|
 |
|
[ The Video Agenda ]
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Everyone's an HD critic
|
|
by Mark J. Pescatore
|
The official pre-NAB media blitz officially began last month, as Sony unveiled its new XDCAM HD line of products. And during the New York press conference, it occurred to me that there are some video professionals who really have some unrealistic HD expectations.
First, a bit about the new stuff. In 2004, Sony introduced XDCAM, a tapeless acquisition format that records using a proprietary optical disc technology. The new XDCAM HD family of products uses the same Professional Disc media as the earlier products, so there's a clear upgrade path. Plus, XDCAM HD can record at different bit rates (35, 25, and 18 Mbps), so it can record up to two hours of 1080i HD footage on a Professional Disc.
The new camcorders, the PDW-F330 and PDW-F350, offer 24p recording, and the PDW-F350 adds variable frame rate recording capability for cinematic effects. The PDW-F70 recorder and PDW-F30 player decks round out the new line. Both decks can perform high-speed data transfer between compatible NLEs, upconvert XDCAM SD content to 1080i HD, and downconvert HD footage to SD in anamorphic, letterboxed, or 4:3 format.
 |
| Sony XDCAM HD products begin shipping next month. |
XDCAM HD has been branded as part of the CineAlta product line because many of the features in the F350 will appeal to the independent filmmaker marketplace that can't afford the HDCAM price tag. Sony officials noted, however, that XDCAM HD should also appeal to news environments that want the workflow benefits of a tapeless acquisition. Most of the new XDCAM HD products will begin shipping next month.
So far, so good. HD acquistion, upgrade path for XDCAM users, tapeless workflow. But wouldn't you know it, there were people in the audience who weren't impressed by the images they saw. XDCAM HD doesn't look as good as HDCAM, I heard one critic argue.
Well, duh.
Let me just say this once so that we as an industry can get a firm grip on reality: You are not going to get the same picture quality and features from a $26,000 camcorder as you are from a $116,000 camcorder.
It's a universal rule of consumer products. From baked beans to home fitness equipment to professional video gear, you get what you pay for. You want the best? Buy the best. Can't afford the best? Settle for less -- or just keep what you have and endure the mocking comments of your competition.
According to Hugo Gaggioni, Sony's chief technology officer, Broadcast and Production Systems Division, the new XDCAM HD camcorders represent a balance between picture quality and data rates. Remember, there's a lot of wiggle room when you talk about HD. When you consider compression, optics, and image processing, it becomes very clear very quickly that all HD is not created equal.
What Sony is doing -- and it's a pretty smart strategy, if you ask me -- is providing HD accessibility to customers at a variety of budgetary levels. In fact, the company's theme for NAB2006 is "HD for All."
Let's say you like the idea of an optical disc workflow, but you don't really need all the bells and whistles that an independent filmmaker may crave. You can choose the F330, which lists for less than $17,000 (without lens).
Still too much for your budget, or perhaps you aren't ready for the tapeless transition? Sony also offers the HVR-Z1U, which lists for less than $6,000. And the HVR-A1U lists for $3,100.
The HDCAM HDW-F950 camcorder has 2/3-inch CCDs, XDCAM HD features 1/2-inch CCDs, the Z1 sports 1/3-inch CCDs, and the A1 has a single 1/3-inch CMOS imager. The numbers don't tell the whole story, but they are a pretty good indicator.
Better chips, better pictures, more money.
We all know that a move to HD isn't simply an investment in a new camcorder. There are workflow considerations, infrastructure issues, and potential editing compatibility problems. And let's not forget the new case, support system, and other accessories you're going to need (or want) to maximize your investment.
When you consider the big picture, adopting even a low-cost HD solution in a small shop is a serious investment. But don't make the mistake of expecting the highest HD quality when you're buying from the lower end of the HD product marketplace.
Mark J. Pescatore is the editor. Contact him at mpescatore@cmp.com.
ADT Security Systems - Official Site - Video Monitors
ADT Security Systems offers a variety of Video Monitors along with a broad range of security products. Visit us online & get a Free Risk Assessment! LCD Projectors - Free Price Quotes
Compare Prices and Save. Visit Now for Free Price Quotes! Buy Audio Video Cables Here - Get It Fast, We Ship Today
Huge selection of AV cables: Component, Composite, S-Video, HDMI, Subwoofer, Toslink, S/PDIF, Coaxial, Speaker Wire, 3.5mm, BNC, RCA, XLR, and more!
|
|
|
|
Government Video is part of the NewBay Media Community
copyright 2007© NewBay Media LLC.
810 Seventh Avenue, 27th Floor New York, NY 10019 T (212)378-0400 F (212)378-2160
|
|
|
